Farmdrop

You may or may not have noticed that I have been pretty absent across all of my social media channels and blog over the past few months. But, I have a fairly legitimate reason why... I got married last week! Needless to say, this summer went by in a complete whirlwind of planning, preparations and to-do lists in the build up to our big day. We had the most wonderful day celebrating with families and friends, and, thankfully the weather was as perfect as the day itself. Having been so preoccupied with our wedding, I found little time to focus on writing blog posts. But, I am excited to say that The Bathonian is back in business!

Last weekend, whilst mini-mooning in the Cotswolds, we settled into Sunday afternoon with the papers, chilled glasses of champagne and homemade hot scones with clotted cream and jam! Whilst dipping into The Telegraph, Scott spotted an article that he couldn't wait to share with me. Farmdrop is now delivering to Bath! But, what is Farmdrop I hear you ask?

Founded by Ben Pugh, Farmdrop is an online delivery service that enables customers to buy directly from local British farms, who, it is important to add, are "paid properly." All the food produce is seasonal and delivered next day (if you order before midday) within a 1 to 6 hour time slot that suits you. Initially, Farmdrop was only available in London, but this week it has launched its service in Bristol and... BATH!!! Hooray!

So, how does it work? Well, as soon as you have completed your shopping, all of the delicious food you purchase is freshly harvested to order, directly from local producers. It is then sent to a Farmdrop hub the very same day, packed up and sent on its way to you in zero-emission electric vans, or, 'Vanimals' as they are called! Your shopping is guaranteed to be at your front door within 19 hours.

With each shop you make, Farmdrop's unique "click-to-harvest model" means you are directly supporting small-scale farming businesses. In addition, all the local suppliers of fresh produce such as meat, eggs, dairy, fruit and veg "are paid 75% of the final retail price... Farmdrop then takes what's left (roughly 25%) which covers the cost of moving the food from the farmer and into {the} customer's kitchens." According to Farmdrop, "farmers would be lucky to receive 50% from the supermarkets."

Not only will you reap the rewards of dining on fresh food, of which around 80% is ethically sourced from within 150 miles, you can also be sure that the highest possible animal welfare standards have been met. After discovering the facts, it was a no brainer for Scott and I! We simply couldn't wait to place our weekly shop. Arriving back into Bath on Monday, after our blissful, relaxing weekend away, I eagerly awaited our Farmdrop delivery.

I was sent a text the previous day with my 1 hour delivery slot, so I could easily plan the rest of my day around its arrival. Greeted by 'Farmdropper' Becky, she kindly brought my shopping into my house and unpacked it for me (keeping the shopping bags is optional!) Becky was most friendly and helpful, and I was delighted to get my hands on all of the wonderful produce...

From just picked knobbly carrots and muddy onions, to wonky courgettes and little 'n' large peppers...

I simply could not have been happier to see our colourful box of vegetables in their natural state, untouched by factories or sent to 'reject bins' by supermarkets. It's well known that "farmers supplying fruit and vegetables to UK supermarkets currently get their produce rejected on the grounds that it fails to meet cosmetic quality standards set by the big retailers." (www.independent.co.uk - 29.04.2017. If you wish, you can read the full article here) This is ridiculous! Thank goodness for companies such as Farmdrop who are helping to change the way we shop.

Just look at those juicy organic toms! This delicious veg bundle was freshly picked from Purton House Organics near Swindon. A mother and daughter-run business set over 70 hectares of Wiltshire countryside...

The farm has proudly held an organic status since 1997, and, the family currently supply much of the fruit, veg, organic beef, pork and eggs sold via Farmdrop.

In addition, Farmer Rowie Meers "is a passionate advocate of ethical farming, sustainability and respect for nature - everything they do at Purton House puts the environment and the animals first." That definitely gets my seal of approval!

From wonderfully fresh fruit and vegetables to delicious dairy products. We couldn't resist ordering a wedge of the award-winning organic Wyfe of Bath cheese which comes from local producers Bath Soft Cheese. Made by hand at Park Farm in Kelston, with milk from their own cows, Bath Soft Cheese have been milking a herd of cows for three generations! Needless to say, the cheese was irresistible!

As was the organic skimmed milk and double cream produced in Wiltshire at Berkeley Farm Dairy. Producers and suppliers of Guernsey milk since 1908, the family run partnership at Berkeley Farm Dairy "aim to produce the best milk on the market".

Now if you love a deliciously creamy yoghurt, you've hit jackpot here! Sample these yoghurt pots produced in Somerset at Brown Cow Organics and you'll never look at a Müller Fruit Corner in the same way again! We opted for the Organic Coconut and Organic Butterscotch Yoghurts and they were divine. We can't wait to sample their other flavours with our next order!

Next in the basket went some meat options. Here we have free range chicken strips reared at Castlemead Farm in Somerset. Grown for a minimum of 71 days, the traditional breed birds are free to roam the herb rich grassy Somerset pastures (no pesticides here!). Providing the best welfare standards possible, the dedicated team at Castlemead Farm ensure their birds have constant access to food, water and fresh bedding.

What a tasty weekly shop! In went organic dry aged beef burgers and pork belly too! Producers of award-winning grass-fed organic meat, Story Organic took over their family farms in the Chew Valley in North Somerset in 2004. Somerset locals, Luke Hasell and Jim Twine are the farmers behind Story Organic. Their slow maturing native breed North and South Devon cows "enjoy a 100% natural grass based diet and are farmed organically and reared ethically".

Shopping on Farmdrop is as easy as pie. All of the food items are listed in categories of Fruit & Veg, Meat, Fish, Dairy & Eggs, Bakery, Larder, Deli, Drinks, Household, Baby & Kids, and Bundles. In addition, you'll notice they highlight their 'Top Picks,' or, 'Essentials' so as to facilitate your shopping experience. You'll receive a promotion of £20 off your first order over £50 and a welcome booklet, as well as a Farmdrop newspaper which features some delicious recipes, I might add!

I couldn't wait to get stuck in and cook my husband a delicious meal when our bountiful bundle of fresh, seasonal produce arrived.

Before I go, I have a handy tip! Once you set up your account with Farmdrop, you can invite your friends to join them too! You will receive a £30 credit to your account if you 'refer a friend' and they place an order. Simply sign them up or send them your unique referral code and you will both get that £30 in credit, to pay for up to 25% of your shop!